Hobbyhorse



Patented June 21, 1949 UNI TED STAT PAT EN T 2,473,649

HOBBYHORSE .lohn Jensen, Ghatsworth, 2111.

Application April 29, 1947 Serial VNo.,74l4;'121

4 Claims.

'This invention relates to a hobby horse, and more particularly to such a device for the amusement 'and entertainment Aof a child.

A primary object Aof this invention is the provision of `an improved hobby horse characterized by 'both vertical and longitudinal movements, traversing, in effect, a circular path, the assembly being driven by foot pedals.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a construction, wherein the body of the horse remains substantially level throughout the path of travel thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

vIn the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, disclosing one form of hobby horse embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view disclosing details of construction, taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention is comprised of a body portion I0 in simulation of a horse or the like, and provided with a saddle II upon which a rider may be seated. The interior of the body is provided with a longitudinally extending channel I2, transversely across which extends a rod member I3, provided at its outer extremity with oppositely disposed angled portions I4 provided with foot pedals I5. As best shown in Figure 2, the shaft is mounted in suitable journals IB secured to transverse resilient members I1, extending longitudinally of the body portion, and serving as a support therefor.

A supporting frame is provided for the assembly, and includes legs I8 connected by longitudinally extending members I9, and transversely extending end portions 20.

Adjacent :each endof Jthe freine, spaced outwardly from the body 'portion I'I'II arel a 'pair of oppositely disposed journals 2, each of which carries an end of'a crankshaft T22. The oiset portion of the crank shaft 22, as best shown in Figure 3, has mounted thereon ljournal blocks 23, to which are secured, as by means of screws 24, the supporting members I1.

Each shaft 22 has secured thereto intermediately of the journal blocks 23 the hub 25 of a sprocket 26, the hub being secured xedly to the shaft 22, as by means of a set screw 21.

Each sprocket 26 is connected, as by means of a chain 28, to one of two smaller sprockets 29, secured to the shaft I3, the arrangement being such that rotation of the shaft I3 by means of its associated pedals I5, correspondingly rotates both sprockets 29 simultaneously, and correspondingly, sprockets 26. The motion of sprockets 2B is in turn transmitted to the shafts 22, thus imparting a relative rotary motion to the entire assembly, the device moving in an arc through a 360 angle, raising and lowering, and moving forwardly and rearwardly a distance determined by the offset of the crank shafts 22.

Obviously, due to the arrangement of the members I1, the body of the horse will remain substantially level during all positions of travel, and correspondingly, a relatively entertaining and amusing ride will be afforded to the juvenile user of the device.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and high entertainment value.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a hobby horse, a. supporting frame, crank shafts transversely journaled in said frame adjacent the opposite ends thereof, resilient connecting and supporting members extending between the crank pins of said shafts, said shafts being rotatable within journals carried by the ends of said members, a body carried by said supporting members, and means for rotating said crank shafts simultaneously to impart movement to said body.

2. In a hobby horse, a supporting frame, crank shafts transversely journaled in said frame adjacent the opposite ends thereof, resilient connecting and supporting members extending between the crank pins of said shafts, said shafts being rotatable within Journals carried by the ends of said members, a body carried by said supporting members, and means for rotating said crank shafts simultaneously to impart movement to said body, said means including foot pedals rotatably carried by the body.

3. In a hobby horse, a supporting frame, crank shafts transversely journaled in said frame adjacent the opposite ends thereof, resilient connecting and supporting members extending between the crank pins of said shafts, said shafts being rotatable within journals carried by the ends of said members, a body carried by said supporting members, and means for rotating said crank shafts simultaneously to impart movement to said body, said means including foot pedals rotatably carried by the body, a shaft supporting said pedals, sprocket carried by said last-mentioned shafts, additional I'sprockets carried by each crank shaft, and chain connections between each sprocket on said pedal-supporting shaft and the sprocket on one crank shaft.

4 4. A hobby horse comprising a supporting` frame, a pair of crank shafts journaled in the frame, said shafts being spaced apart longitudinally and disposed parallel to each other, parallel resilient bars connecting the crank pins of said shafts, a body carried by said resilient bars between said shafts, sprocket wheels carried by the crank pins of said shafts, said body having a hollow portion therein, sprocket wheels in said hollow portion, a shaft rotatably supporting said last mentioned sprocket wheels, foot pedals attached to said shaft, and sprocket chains connecting each of said last mentioned sprockets with one of said first mentioned sprockets.

JOHN JENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 967,641 Joseph Aug. 16, 1910 1,104,145 Sharkey July 21, 1914 2,107,447 Marlowe Feb. 8, 1938 

